 |
|
The drivers' doors in the hull front plate are obvious in this 75mm HMC M8; the drivers had periscopes in the hull roof as well for driving while buttoned up. The 75mm howitzer was covered by a long flash deflector, and the muzzle of the howitzer barrel can be seen down inside the flash hider. This vehicle is equipped with sandshields and brackets for stowing track grousers on the turret, which indicate it's a later production HMC. When fitted, the grousers were stored horizontally on the brackets. The mount for the .50cal M2HB MG can be seen towards the rear of the open-topped turret. This vehicle is fitted with the rubber block T16E1 or T16E2 track. (Picture courtesy Armor Foto.)
 |
This top view shows the internal arrangements of the open-topped turret. (Picture from FM 17-69 Crew Drill, Service of the Piece, and Gunnery (75-mm Assault Howitzer on Motor Carriage M8).)
 |
In this illustration of the action posts, the chief of section is manning the machine gun and monitoring the fall of the rounds. The gunner is just in front of the chief, and the loader is on the opposite side of the ordnance, leaving the driver as the only man in the hull. When mounted and not in action, the gunner would occupy the assistant driver's position, the loader would man the machine gun, and the chief would place himself on the turret's right side. (Picture from FM 17-69 Crew Drill, Service of the Piece, and Gunnery (75-mm Assault Howitzer on Motor Carriage M8).)
Questions? Comments? Corrections? Email me
© Copyright 2001-07 Chris Conners